MECCA: Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant, who now goes by the name Rakhi Fatima, faced a chaotic situation in Mecca, Saudi Arabia while distributing Janamaz [prayer mats] among pilgrims, with videos of the incident going viral on social media.
According to reports, the actress, who had travelled to Mecca, offered prayers for the safety of children, elderly people, animals and everyone stranded in flood-hit Nepal.
During the distribution, a large crowd gathered around her and surged forward to collect the mats, leaving the actress visibly overwhelmed.
View this post on Instagram
In videos circulating online, the 47-year-old star can be seen trying to control the situation as pilgrims crowded around her. Looking visibly scared, Rakhi attempted to remain calm while chanting ‘Allah Hu Akbar’ as the rush continued.
Reports said that after the distribution ended, the situation became even more chaotic as people followed her towards a shop and began grabbing the remaining mats. Amid the commotion, some people were also seen pulling at her hijab, leaving her frightened.
The Instagram video shared by Sawant shows her buying Janamaz and handing them out to fellow pilgrims in the holy city.
Background:
The incident comes days after Sawant spoke openly about her religious journey in an exclusive interview with BBC Hindi.
Sawant, who describes herself as India’s first content creator, said she was born in a Hindu family, her mother later converted to Christianity, while she herself converted to Islam after marrying a Muslim man and adopted the name Fatima.
In the interview she said she studies both the Quran and the Bible and believes in all prophets. She said she prays regularly, has performed Umrah, believes in Allah, and that her religion is a personal matter and everyone has the right to adopt the religion of their choice.
Sawant has previously sponsored Umrah trips for around 20-21 underprivileged people from India and Pakistan and has often shared videos of her offering namaz and visiting Madinah and Mecca.
